Historic Tiadaghton Elm Still A State Landmark Keystone Ramblings

April 13, 1986|by DR. RICHMOND E. MYERS, The Morning Call

CLINTON COUNTY

For a time we were uncertain about which of several points of interest we would select as as this county's most interesting attraction. We finally chose a tree. Situated almost on the county line, stands the noble Tiadaghton Elm, one of the most magnificent trees in our state. Under its shade on July 4, 1776, a group of men, settlers of the West Branch Valley, assembled and without any knowledge of what was happening in Philadelphia, declared their independence from the rule of Great Britain! A historical marker (on U.S. 22 near Avis) commemorates this event. The great elm stands in majestic grandeur close by the junction of Pine Creek and the Susquehanna. More than 20 feet in circumference, it has served as a landmark for Indians, early settlers, and those who came after them for more than two centuries.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Have you ever visited a real old-fashioned county fair? We can remember the days when we were growing up that almost any of the county fairs could qualify in that category. Today such fairs are few and far between. We remember fairs when the main object of getting together was to see exhibits of agricultural machinery, crops and the products of the farmhouse kitchen or sewing room. Livestock was also an important segment of the fair, and of course, all these things were on display to win prize ribbons in friendly competition. Sometimes there was a race track on which the "sport of kings" was enjoyed in a non- royal fashion, and of course country churches operated booths in which home-cooked meals were served on heaping platters. However, missing was the midway that we associate with most fairs today. Missing also were the "big shows." The closest county fair to the Lehigh Valley that meets this description can be found at Bloomsburg, the county seat of Columbia County. So, if you are an old-timer who would like to revive the joys of this original type of Americana, head for the Bloomsburg Fair this year and you won't be disappointed.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Crawford County attraction, Lineville, chosen as the one place to see in that county, was described in detail previously so today we shall just give instructions as to how to get there. Every summer hundreds of folk travel to Lineville on U.S. 6, in order to see the ducks walking on the backs of countless fish. This spectacle takes place on the waters of Pymatuning Lake. It goes on daily during the summer season. In order to see the actors perform, one must go to the bridge that crosses the lake a mile or so south of Lineville. Take a loaf or two of stale bread, or purchase some at the bridge. Crumble the bread, throw the pieces into the lake and watch what happens. Masses of carp rise to the surface to get the bread, and dozens of ducks descend on the fish with the same idea in mind. The birds walk right out on the backs of the fish, and what a squabble there is. Be sure to have your camera with you with plenty of film because this is something you won't see anywhere else in Pennsylvania.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

A few miles south of Carlisle on Yellow Breeches Creek is the tiny community of Boiling Springs. With fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, this village boasts one of the most unusual sights in Pennsylvania. It is from this extraordinary display that the town gets its name, which we shall see, is misleading.

The town is clustered around a large pond which appears to be boiling water. However, when placing a hand in the water one finds it to be quite cold! The "boiling" is an illusion caused by the bubbling up of some 50 springs feeding 22 million gallons of water into the pond every day. The springs are located along a fault in the limestone that floors the valley, immediately north of the South Mountain. Like the ducks walking on fishes' backs, the springs are a splendid subject for moving pictures.